PUZZLES
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Race to the Top by Paul Coulter
Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg
ACROSS
1 Little sweater?
5 Drink like a cat
10 Junk email
14 Bad to the bone
15 Playground retort
16 Rose brought on
a date, say?
17 Coats can be
hung on them
18 Painter’s support
19 Musicals often
have two
20 Old-timey way to
say “Let go!”
22 Pancakes that
might be served
with applesauce
24 S.F. winter hours
25 “Oh, absolutely!”
26 No longer in
fashion
27 Social sensitivity
29 Is super into
30 “i” lid?
33 Pro’s opposite
34 ___ out a living
36 Ziti shape
37 It’s smaller than a
city
38 Nightclub charge
39 Like an unen-
closed floor plan
40
41
42
43
44
45
47
49
50
53
55
57
58
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
Soothing balm
Barter
Hog’s home
Golfers want to
be under it
Weed-whacking
tools
Deep cut
Knightley of “Love
Actually”
Back muscle, for
short
Flow back
“Well, finally!”
Venomous snake
Blacken
___ Lodge (motel
chain)
Aromatic
seasoning
Southward
A1
Final Four letters?
Use some
&$^#ing bad
language
Many “Euphoria”
characters,
agewise
Look after
DOWN
1 Add some zip to
2 Bakery
appliances
3 They prohibit
union
membership as a
criterion for hiring
(In this clue’s
answer, see
letters 14-11)
4 Disney character
who sings “Into
the Unknown”
5 Polygraph
procedure (...
letters 12-9)
6 Amy of “Sharp
Objects”
7 Downward dog,
e.g.
8 Deploy
9 Sites that pool
and analyze
election
prediction data (...
letters 6-1)
10 Attacks, like a fly
11 Went faster,
and hint to this
puzzle’s theme
12 Put some chips
on the table?
13 More than just
clutter
21
23
26
28
29
31
32
33
35
36
37
44
46
48
49
51
52
53
54
55
56
59
MoMA city
Total jerk
Yearned (for)
Rice on a shelf?
Opera stars
Fall in line
Lowest card in a
royal flush
Fizzy brown drink
Asian region
where Seollal is
celebrated
Throw out
Bug on a wire?
He/him/___
Off-road four-
wheeler, for short
Brings home
Bedsheet fabric
Started
Naan or ciabatta,
e.g.
Band with the
aptly titled album
“Power Up”
Shakespearean
“you”
Vatican City VIP
Ain’t another
way?
Actor’s prompt
Obscure Musical Acts by Chase Dittrich and Jeff Chen
Universal Crossword edited by David Steinberg
ACROSS
1 Word before
“easy” or “budget”
5 Test for purity
10 Greeting in Perth
14 Bit of cunning
15 Gaze
16 Irritate
17 Often-braised
meat dish --> *On
the ___ (fleeing)
+ Actor in “Big”
and “Forrest
Gump”
19 “The Last Dance”
channel
20 Abrasive powder
21 Unsaid yet
understood
22 Martial arts star
in “Mulan”
25 Graveyard sight
--> *Male cat +
Sound quality
28 Anvil’s body part
29 ___ Vegas
Raiders
31 Confident bettor’s
words
32 Throngs
34 “Keep Austin
___” (Texas city’s
slogan)
35 Really enjoying
36 Use a credit card
38 Washington-to-
Idaho direction
42 Tantrum thrower
44 Olympic diver?
46 Be the go-
between
48 ___ Lingus
49 Blasting letters
50 Some pickup
spots --> *Mean
dog + March 15,
e.g.
52 Stopped sleeping
54 Usually Australian
gems
55 In a fitting way
57 ___ golf (putt-
putt)
58 Tribute groups, or
a four-part hint to
the starred clues’
answers
63 “Seriously?”
64 Madison Square
Garden, for one
65 Hype up
66 Group of actors
67 Like fingers after
eating wings
68 City that took in a
wooden horse
DOWN
1 Bird that flies
silently
2 Traveling through
3 Shade tree
4 *Fishing spool
5 Tennis legend
Arthur
6 Begins
7 Japanese
electronics giant
8 Where lions
and zebras
coexisted?
9 Positive response
10 “I love that
suggestion!”
11 Strobe spots
12 Skiing type
13 “Fiddler on
the Roof”
matchmaker
18 *Four laps on a
track, say
21 *Road goo
22 Luke Skywalker,
e.g.
23 Merit
24 Brisk pace
26 Demeanor
27 *Chain of hills
30 Birthplace of St.
Francis
33 *Singer
34 Exchange vows
37 Responded,
legally
39 ___ clef (viola
music symbol)
40 Dirty dish’s
destination
41 French for “head”
43 *That guy’s
45 Toothbrush brand
46 Nyong’o of “Us”
47 Neighbors of
Pakistanis
48 Trembling trees
50 Ali Wong or Joan
Rivers
51 Spots for icicles
53 Earp of the Old
West
56 Aircraft carrier?
58 Video chat need,
briefly
59 5-Across
specimen
60 Neither here ___
there
61 Twosome
62 Swine’s home
East Oregonian
A11
HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022 Alone Together
When you live on a spinning rock, with your closest
neighboring planet at least 25 million miles away, it
does inspire an urge to be as self-reliant as possible.
And yet, today, as the Capricorn moon makes a
precarious angle to the sun, it will seem equally wise
to recognize the great extent to which we need each
other.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). The other person’s
account of the events in a relationship may differ
substantially from your own. Be receptive to the other
person’s point of view.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). This is a lucky day
to gather and acquire resources. You’ll accurately
estimate what you need, find the right price and get a
lot of use from today’s purchases.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). A curious, experimental
mood takes hold. You won’t have to pursue it for long
before you find yourself in a magical place. Perception
alters the lighting scheme of the world.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). Certain people
require more of your patience. Or you can just ignore
their thoughtlessness instead, and that’s an act of
compassion. Why take offense when no harm was
intended? You have better things to think about.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). You’ve fantasized about
getting someone else to do the mundane work while
you follow your creative whimsy. However, it’s the
mundane tasks that move your imagination. Being
hands-on brings out your genius.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Normally you wouldn’t
gamble with what’s precious to you, but there’s a
calculated risk that seems like it might be worth
taking. Make sure you have good communication and
a backup plan.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It’s not like you to accept
whatever life throws your way as though it’s meant for
you. You say what’s meant for you. You think ahead;
you take control. What you give will strongly influence
what you get.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You could use some
faith. While a naive abandon of thought process isn’t
your style, you could surrender your skepticism for
a more practical reason. It’s heavy. Traveling light is
faster.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). There’s much
to do and you’ll be a leader, overseeing the action. You
already know one way to get the job done. To foster
teamwork and innovation, encourage others to come
up with solutions too.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Colleagues and
friends can provide some of your most meaningful
competition, as their close vicinity is intensely
motivating. Don’t be afraid to share information but
keep some for yourself too.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). This is a sharing
kind of day. What we share is inconsequential; it’s
the effort that matters. It’s enough to appreciate being
connected and let the particulars be what they are.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Minefields just look
like fields until something blows up. It’s a good day to
respect hidden history, read all the signs, follow all the
rules and heed all the warnings.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (March 25). Like the snap of
a puzzle piece coming together or the satisfied rush that
comes with a row of green Wordle squares, you’ll often
have the thrill of filling life’s blanks. Your wins will build
up and you’ll get to wear them like a cape of confidence.
You’ll be made a leader and you’ll use your power to
make things better. Cancer and Virgo adore you. Your
lucky numbers are: 1, 44, 4, 20 and 32.
Universal SUDOKU
SOLUTIONS
HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY MATHIS
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022 Pluto’s Perspective Cleanser
Mercury and Pluto highlight the importance of
unobstructed perspective. Just think about what
it’s like to drive with a dirty windshield: even an
obstruction as thin as a layer of dust or condensation
can be troublesome. To enjoy a sense of safety and
confidence, take the time to clear the windshield of
your mind.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Everyone has faults
and it would be a waste of time to address them all.
What’s relevant to the current situation? What can be
improved and how? You’ll put your energy into making
a good thing better.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). The best way to get
the attention you need will not be to ask for it directly.
That would be like a comedian standing onstage
and asking people to laugh. You’ll think in terms of
playfulness, entertainment and enticement.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). If you believed every
compliment paid to you, you’d lose both your humility
and your edge. You accept encouragement but keep
thinking about what you’d like to do better.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The events of the
day are neither positive nor negative, but they are
actionable and are best handled sooner rather than
later. This will bring out the best in you.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The best thing is not to give
fast answers. In fact, doing so is quite unlucky. Don’t
be pressured into acting too quickly. Assert your right
to think things through.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Generally, you
shouldn’t have to apologize for other people’s
behavior, but today a quick “sorry” may be the most
diplomatic move. Stay confident, barrel through the
rough moments and sail smoothly on.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). The opportunities are
just waiting to be seized. Someone who doesn’t know
you well is worried that you’ll seize what’s good for
you and leave the others behind. Give reassurances
and proof that you’re a team player.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). You’re confused
when people tell you to do your best. What else would
you do? Sometimes you’re doing your best at relaxing.
It’s certainly a worthy aim of the day.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). People feel
seen by you. You’re especially tuned in to those with
a low-key, unassuming style. You get subtlety and
acknowledge the importance of things that most would
take for granted.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Eventually,
tranquility around you will create tranquility inside
you. This is why your labors to bring your domestic
environment into the loveliest possible orderliness are
well worth the effort.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). People remember
their first time in a place. The chance to show someone
around is an opportunity to make a memory. So, what
kind of memory do you want to make? You have the
power to make a little magic happen here.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You often deserve
a better quality of attention than you get. But when
people fall short, you won’t take it personally. You’ll
spend most of the day tending to others, yet somehow,
at day’s end, your own needs are quite fulfilled.
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (March 26). Buoyancy of
spirit is your cosmic boon and it’s like the high tide
that raises all ships. Your physical energy, relationships
and more will be lifted into new realms. You’ll be asked
to work hard on a job that’s important to you and you’ll
focus yourself well. You’ll be proud of what you invent
to delight your loved ones. Leo and Pisces adore you.
Your lucky numbers are: 10, 3, 33, 18 and 41.
Universal SUDOKU
SOLUTIONS